Curcumin and Metacam

[Kay]

this is the active ingredient of tumeric, and is considered a natural anti-inflammatory, with anecdotal evidence to suggest it can sometimes shrink cancerous tumours

I thought I might give it a try with Trigger, who remains an apparently well cat with a gammy leg - but doubt I should give it at the same time as the Metacam

I do wonder if the Metacam is necessary though - although he has a lot of trouble getting his gammy leg to do what he wants it to, he never cries out as if in pain, and once he is lying down he shows no sign of being restless and uncomfortable - if anyone has had experience of an animal in pain does this indicate anything? or is he just gritting his teeth?

has anyone used Curcumin? and if yes, how much did you give? there is none sold for animals, so I have ordered 400 mg capsules and the scanty info on the web suggests a quarter of the contents each day

[meriad]

Kay, in all honesty I have no idea about curcumin. Not sure if they will help as it's not a product they sell, but what about contacting Dorwest http://www.dorwest.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - they specialise in herbal stuff for animals. They may have some advice to give

[Beanie]

Hi Kay,

I know your question is essentially about the use of Curcumin and Metacam. I have absolutely no knowledge about Curcurmin but I do have experience of Metacam use.

All I know about Metacam is that it is a medicine that cannot be used with certain other medicines as I have just found out with Tiggy. It may be the same with complimentary medicines.

As for Metcam, I assume that you are using the oral version as opposed to the injection often given after an operation. Veterinary advice in its continued use is essential.

I would urge great caution with Metacam if using the oral version on a regular basis. Following concerns, The Feline Advisory Bureau ( as they were then did an excellent paper) on the use of NSAIDS utilising veterinary input from all over the world.

It is my understanding that many American vets will not prescribe oral Metacam due to known side effects being too frequent as opposed to rare. I did a check of local veterinary practices a few years ago and found differing opinions. My own vet insists on blood checks every 6 months; another vet felt that it should be a 3 month blood check and one other (whilst happy with the injection for short term pain relief had some doubts over the long term use of the oral version and preferred not to prescribe it.

A known side effect is damage to the kidneys hence the constant need for blood tests of the Urea and Creatinine (the latter being regarded by many vets as a better indicator of kidney disease).

Last week a specialist oncologist prescribed Oral Metacam as it is reported that it can be helpful for cancer sufferers. Although extremely reluctant, I had little choice last week but to use it on for Tiggy who has cancer. It has now stopped after referral to my primary vet. Nausea is also known as a side effect. Tiggy could not keep any food down which in her case is even more critical.

My apologies if you are already aware of this but research and professional veterinary advice is essential as are the regular blood tests if you are using it.

This is not meant to scare you but it does require full and detailed knowledge to make an informed decision.

[Kay]

Hi Beanie - my Trigger was found to have a pelvic mass, probably malignant though as there is no treatment I can easily access it hasn't been thoroughly investigated

he has had daily oral Metacam for a fortnight now without showing any signs of it making him ill, and if he is on borrowed time I am not concerned about any kidney damage - however, if he is not in pain then there is no point in continuing it - keeping him pain free is my main objective now - but I am always aware of how cats hide pain, and perhaps too I am too apt to assume a cat who is so fond of his food can't be in pain, and maybe that is wrong too

when I get the curcumin I think I will start with a low dose, and cut the metacam in half to see how he goes, with a view to replacing the metacam with curcumin altogether - I started off thinking any long term effects of his medication were immaterial, but as time goes on I may have to reconsider

I live in the sticks, and without a car, so cannot access any centre of excellence - my local vet is farm orientated, and to be honest I suspect I can find out as much from the internet as fr om them - but they do provide 24/7 cover and will do home visits, which is very important to me

[booktigger]

Kay, I would keep him on metacam. It is a Cox1 inhibitor so can slow the growth of certain cancers, so it could have been prescribed for that rather than pain/anti-inflam. It's years since I looked into it, but if you google cox1 inhibitors, i think there is another, it may not have the same side effects.

[Kay]

I shall bear that in mind - thank you for the info - I wonder if part of the problem with Metacam is that quite a few of the cats given it may be poor eaters, and so it is too aggressive on an empty stomach - this could be affecting the statistics regarding side effects

[bobbys girl]

My OH has done some research into turmeric/curcumin. He seems quite impressed with what he found. He is diabetic and has been treated (successfully) for bladder cancer. He has started taking turmeric as a supplement. He is not generally away with the fairies so there must be something in it!

I would say make sure you get good quality stuff. I know that with cinnamon, the stuff you buy in the supermarkets (cassia) is little more than flavouring.

As for using it with conventional meds - the worry is that alternative meds can increase/decrease the efficacy of the conventional ones. My mum (a retired nurse) once asked me to look up valerian in my herbal, as a doctor (dismissing it as 'harmless') had OK'ed a patients continued use of his 'remedies'. The man was also on tranquilisers and the nurses couldn't wake him!!!

What booktigger says about metacam makes a lot of sense. Whatever you do, I hope you find something that helps. When he is back home, I will ask my OH to lookout the info he has on turmeric to see if there is anything about use in animals.

Best wishes

[MarkB]

I don't have any previous knowledge/experience with Curcumin, but one thing I noticed was that is causes blood vessels to dilate. Anti-inflammatories have the opposite effect.

I remember being told years ago that Metacam taken at the same time as ACE inhibitors has a similar effect - with one dilating and the other restricting blood vessels - in effect, one can cancel out the other.

[Beanie]

Hi Kay,
I appreciate that I came at this not knowing the full circumstances but realized that there must have been previous threads. I can now more fully understand your dilemma.

As you say, cats hide pain well and the most important thing given the circumstances is to keep him pain free. I still think that quick call to your vet can ease your mind as to whether Curcumin and Metacam mix well. I honestly don’t know but have learned, in my case, never to assume that all medicines &/or herbal remedies go together and work in harmony with each other.

I am so sorry that access to a ‘centre of excellence’ is not possible for you and assume that a friendly neighbour who drives is not possible. Anyway, I’m sure that you will have explored that option.

If you are a member of International Cat Care, they may be able to provide some excellent guidance. The home visits by your vet must be re-assuring.

Cancer is a terrible disease in animals as well as humans. Tiggy is our third cat in the last 2 years who has been diagnosed with cancer. Millie did not survive Lymphoma but Katie had an adrenal tumour surgically removed and is doing well (fingers and paws crossed). Tiggy is Millie’s daughter and I am determined she will have the best veterinary advice and care. Each of the cat’s cancers has been different.

Anyway, I wish you and Trigger (great name!) the very best and will add Trigger to my prayers.